PrintLabor fudges Indigenous housing figures again
Glaring discrepancies have emerged between government claims and community reports about the number of houses that have been built for Indigenous Territorians under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing.
Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said the Federal and Northern Territory governments have a history of releasing misleading information, and the latest fanciful claim is that 47 houses have been built and handed over in 10 days.
|
Government report |
Community report |
|
Tiwi Islands: 19 houses |
9 complete |
|
Wadeye: 17 houses |
On track |
|
Maningrida: 11 houses |
11 complete, but awaiting an official opening with Paul Henderson before they can be occupied |
|
Groote Eylandt: 6 houses |
1 duplex complete; work stalled on four other houses |
|
Gunbalanya: 6 houses |
1 complete, five under construction |
“We are tired of hearing the same hogwash from Federal and Territory representatives who have proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted to tell the truth,” Senator Scullion said.
“It would be very easy for them to tell us the addresses of these houses, but they are so afraid of scrutiny that they prefer to make good news announcements before houses have even been completed.
“Some of these new houses are being used as transitional accommodation while renovations are undertaken, so it’s a little bit like telling first home owners they have to live in a backpackers for an indefinite period while they wait for the real McCoy.
“There are also disturbing reports of not one Indigenous employee working on any house in several of these communities, which confirms what I have been hearing around the country. The program is an absolute shambles and Indigenous Territorians deserve better.”
